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Post by Lefty on Mar 2, 2015 10:15:10 GMT -7
So on my board I always like to keep a high gain box for that ZZ Topish/Plexi/JCM800 tones. Here's the thing, I don't need it to over drive my amp just basically add another channel at unity vol.
I started off years ago with a Expandora (I), sold it off foolishly. I had a V-Stack pedal that was great, but it got stolen. Currently I'm using a BK Tube Driver with very favorable results. However it really likes to be cranked up higher than unity, and it's a big box.
I recently tried the Catalinbread DLS 3, and while great it was just shy of what I'm looking for. Dare I say, it could use a little more distortion seeing as I'm not clipping the amp with it. Any who, I probably shouldn't even poke the bear and just leave well enough alone.
It's always something.
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Post by southmusic70 on Mar 2, 2015 10:57:20 GMT -7
When I used to play a Mesa F50 I would use a Barber Dirty Bomb through the clean channel for the higher distortion chores and the drive channel for the medium overdrive stuff, plus a boost pedal at the end of my board's signal path, effectively giving me eight options (although the Dirty Bomb into the drive channel was a little over the top for me, personally).
Now with my 'Rati v2 it's a Visual Sound XO with 2 flavors of overdrive, a Fulltone Plimsoul, and a Catalinbread SCP boost.
Almost too many choices, I guess, but I can see where if you had a Z that was easy to drive without pedals that all you would need is a good distortion stomp.
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Post by kustom250 on Mar 2, 2015 11:21:26 GMT -7
A bandmate uses the Lovepedal Purple Plexi. It sounds really good.
I've had really good luck with the Catalinbread stuff, but I've not personally used the Marshall sounding ones.
And...
Don't forget the RAT. They're cheap used.
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Post by southmusic70 on Mar 2, 2015 11:30:49 GMT -7
I had a RAT that I sent to Keeley for their mod, and it really took the pedal to the next level; just saying it's an option, assuming Keeley still offers the mod.
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Post by Lefty on Mar 2, 2015 11:48:48 GMT -7
Been down the RAT road, both classic and RAT2.
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Post by kustom250 on Mar 2, 2015 12:32:17 GMT -7
Been down the RAT road, both classic and RAT2. Cool. It's just always good to check. What about the Fulltone OCD? I was too much gain for me, but if the DLS isn't quite enough it might work. A lot of the Lovepedal stuff does the Marshall in a pedal thing. But they can be pretty pricey.
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Post by Matt on Mar 2, 2015 14:32:38 GMT -7
If you want more distortion, but with that same flavor (or more if you choose), I'd recommend an Okko Dominator. Not a small box and it's pretty expensive, but it has the best heavy drive sounds I've seen in a pedal. It can do everything from Plexi to full Metal. I use it for my high gain/hard rock sound when my Catalinbread DLS MKIII doesn't get me to where I need to be.
Some other options may be the Empress Multidrive or Heavy pedals.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Mar 2, 2015 14:55:52 GMT -7
Definitely more JCM800 than Plexi, but I find the MI Audio Crunch Box (I've got the slightly older model) to be an awesome-sounding guilty pleasure. Also, the Barber Direct Drive--which is ever so slightly smoother--should also do the trick. I've got the Keeley-modded RAT, too, but I find that one to be more Mesa hi-gain than Marshall hard-rock.
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Post by nicholas on Mar 2, 2015 17:00:15 GMT -7
I've tried most of the pedals mentioned. All good. For the longest time my "hot" pedal was a Fulltone Plim Soul. Its great. But recently tried the Fulltone Secret Freq. It is an excellent pedal. No worry about it not having enough balls. That's for sure lol. It nails the "Boston" super crunch tone, as well as many others. It will do a lower OD as well. Check it out!
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Post by Lefty on Mar 2, 2015 17:59:55 GMT -7
Been down the OCD street both V1 and V2. The Plimsoul has my lead tone spot. I really like the idea of a pedal with Bass, Treble, and Mid controls.
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Post by Righty on Mar 2, 2015 18:21:54 GMT -7
I think I might know a guy who happens to have an original Expandora
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Post by Eddie on Mar 2, 2015 18:55:42 GMT -7
I'm a big fan of the Z VEX Box of Rock for the purpose you describe.
Eddie
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Post by Lefty on Mar 2, 2015 19:45:11 GMT -7
I think I might know a guy who happens to have an original Expandora Don't sweat it, I think the trouble may not even out. As my ears (and rig) have changed a bit over the years.
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Post by walt on Mar 2, 2015 20:02:53 GMT -7
I use the Barber Gain Changer-but it might be too mild for what you want.It has 2 depths of gain setting,almost like an OD and Distortion in the same pedal,but still fairly lo key.I am interested in the Seymour Duncan pickup booster pedal-maybe that on top of a Distortion pedal would do what you want?sort of like the light dimmer added to the JCM 800(I actually had a JCM 800-but 50 watts and 2 12's is TOO much for a bedroom amp)that EVH had done years ago. BTW,the Gain Chainger is great with single coils.
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Post by deltone on Mar 2, 2015 20:20:39 GMT -7
Definitely more JCM800 than Plexi, but I find the MI Audio Crunch Box (I've got the slightly older model) to be an awesome-sounding guilty pleasure... ^^^^^this
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Mar 2, 2015 20:48:02 GMT -7
Supercharger GTO from Soldano!
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Post by Lefty on Mar 2, 2015 21:07:48 GMT -7
Supercharger GTO from Soldano! Size is an issue.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Mar 2, 2015 21:12:31 GMT -7
It is a BIG pedal!!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2015 1:36:53 GMT -7
Been gassing for the EQD Monarch...an Orange in a box apparently.
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Post by strat59 on Mar 3, 2015 6:47:15 GMT -7
Lefty, Have you tried the Rocket Animal? The more I use mine the more I like it. May or may not be what you're looking for but worth a try if you haven't already.
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Post by scottc on Mar 3, 2015 7:38:34 GMT -7
Take a look at the JHS Angry Charlie.
It's their version of a JCM800 in a box...Sounds awesome!
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Post by LT on Mar 3, 2015 8:08:34 GMT -7
Maybe the Xotic SL?
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Post by thunderstruck(formerly doc001) on Mar 3, 2015 13:31:31 GMT -7
I liked my Wampler Pinnacle. Very nice distortion.
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Post by Lefty on Mar 3, 2015 14:29:47 GMT -7
Lefty, Have you tried the Rocket Animal? The more I use mine the more I like it. May or may not be what you're looking for but worth a try if you haven't already. Jeff is going to loan me his tomorrow. What a swell guy. I'll try it out at rehearsal. More news as it happens.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Mar 4, 2015 12:49:10 GMT -7
Ok - howze about this one? Small size and realistic pricing!
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Post by zpilot on Mar 5, 2015 15:50:56 GMT -7
Lefty, Have you tried the Rocket Animal? The more I use mine the more I like it. May or may not be what you're looking for but worth a try if you haven't already. I've gotten pretty close to that later ZZ Top sound by using my Animal stacked with another dirt pedal. I also used to be really fond of a Carl Martin Plexitone that I used for that. I used to use it in front of a MAZ Sr. I had. Pretty much nailed the Marshall thing. I don't have any idea why I let it go.
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Post by Jefferson on Mar 6, 2015 12:27:18 GMT -7
these vids are what sold me on the Rockett Animal to begin with. Love these tones! I find that will both the rocket blue note and the animal that I can just live on the edge of feedback almost at will. I dig that!
And FWIW, I think Pete Thorn might be the coolest player on the planet now! does this mean I have man-crush on Pete?!?!?
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Post by zm12 on Mar 6, 2015 17:18:10 GMT -7
Dont know how hard they are to find these days but, the Rothwell Hellbender is a great MIAB if thats what you are looking for. Nice tight bottom end. Some say it cuts low end but it works great for me
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 11, 2015 12:05:52 GMT -7
Check your PM Matt.
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